Man rescued from beneath TRAX train

SOUTH SALT LAKE — Officials have pulled a man from beneath a TRAX train after he was hit Monday.

It happened at approximately 6:30 a.m. at 195 West 2100 South. According to officials, the man was crossing the tracks while the crossing arms were down and the lights were flashing. He was hit by a southbound train pulling into the nearby station.

Officials said the man was dragged about 20 feet.

“The train driver had blown his horn first of all, which is the smart thing of the train driver first, but in the meantime, the gentleman had got stuck under the train and that’s when he started yelling ‘help help,'” said Brian Christensen, a witness.

The man was taken to the hospital with serious injuries to his legs. Officials on the scene said they believe he will be okay. He was talking and alert as they transported him to the hospital.

“In this instant, this morning, we had a man who was trespassing in the railroad corridor,” said Gerry Carpenter, UTA spokesman. “He stepped in front of the train and was struck and dragged for a short distance.”

At 7:55 a.m., UTA tweeted that trains were moving throughout the system, but to expect residual delays system wide until 8:30 a.m.